Any chance you installed over a trial version? We did that, and had all sorts of problems for a couple weeks. Uninstalling everything and reinstalling improved things a lot.

I don't think we've had anything just disappear since then, but I'd have to double check with my partner, who does most of the editing to be sure.

This might be too obvious, but did you move the files, or rename them?
Probably not.
Just wondering, if you export using PPM, does the newly assembled project open properly with all the files back in place? HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Same problem here. A CONSTANT frustration. No, I did not install over a trial version. I just keep adding the missing clips back in. Different clips vanish at different times. This, however, is minor compared to the constant crashes. I have asked tech support for build 2220c. I'll see what happens.

Using PD 8 is like trying to drive a nail with an egg.

Make sure it's a Faberge egg.
To be serious, this has not happened to me without a crash. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

I can't remember if I installed over a trial version or not. And I didn't move the files or rename them.

When I produce my projects, I only get a blank screen when the video gets to the blank clips. The audio still plays when it gets to the blank clips though, so I guess they're not totally empty. Is that what you meant by exporting using PPM?

PPM "Pack Project Materials".
File>export>Pack Project Materials.

This function allows you to bundle all the files used in your project and export them to a folder. It includes a pds file to reassemble the project.

This is useful if you think you may want to revisit/edit your project again in the future.

I was just wondering if you export to ppm, if all the files then reappear when you open the packed project ppm file. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Quote: Something really weird is going on in my project. My video clips keep going blank in the timeline. The duration, and the placement of these blank clips within the timeleine is still the same, only the video is completely gone. When I mouse over the clips to view their details, the name of the video files that these clips are taken from no longer show up. For example: if my video clip is supposed to be taken from a file called "122.MTS", the name of the file no longer shows up in my blank clips. Instead, all it says where the name should be is: "0,0,0".

My video clips usually go blank when I first load a project (even if none of my clips were blank when I last saved). But sometimes they'll go blank on their own after the project has loaded, even if I don't touch anything.

Does anyone know what I can do to fix this?

I have this same exact issue. I spent a number of hours compiling and editing AVCHD files(mts). I've only been able to burn 1 DVD successfully. And now when I open the timeline, I have 5 clips that are blank as you've have described. I made no changes and didn't move any files.

I am extremely dissatisfied with PD8. I can't burn to DVD or a folder on the HD. It will get to 43% and sit there forever. If I try to do any modifications, the stupid app just crashes. It will crash whether I go to burn a disc for view a clip or any number of things. I've downloaded new drivers for everyting.

This just sucks. I spent hours editing a video of the birth of my first child...and now I have to redo it. But I don't want to do it in PD8. Searching for a replacement now.

I have this exact same issue as well. Edited less than an hour worth of video from my newborn and clips are disappearing with the 0,0,0 in place of it... audio remains, but no video.

This is a major problem that should be fixed, saving your project should SAVE your project!

Hi People,
I've read this list of similar issues with some concern.

OK, I need for you ALL to give your diagnostic files please and the source of the video. You can do this in two places here:
********************************
Have you seen this, please add your spec?
http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/8445.page
Please add your camera spec here:
http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/8727.page
Thanks
********************************
and then link to them.

First off, I don't think what you're experiencing is a major issue, more likely to be an arrangement to edit issue. Don't take this the wrong way - I want to see you editing merrily and not getting worried.

Ok now let's look at your systems, one and all.

The next stage will be for you all to tell us the method you're using to bring your video into PD8 and where from. Give precise details* - no woolly info, stick to the facts. I want to know if your editing from a USB connected Hard Drive or from an SD card stuck in a port for example. Or are you editing from video located on an internal hard drive.

I then want to know if you have sufficient capability (Diagnostic file* here will help me) to see whether you can shut off shadow edit file creation. Again this is something I will suggest if you load your spec/diagnostic file.

Barry has indicated correctly that video files should NOT be moved around when you're editing them. To do so means the files will have to be browsed for. Now... I want to know more from you all before I can give you hard instructions.

Lastly, remember a picture* tells a story and 3 images can be attached to a reply - GIVE SCREEN SHOTS* of your user interface - PD8's window.

*Guides here for all that I have suggested:
http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/7958.page
Subject: PowerDirector - information we request and tasks to carry out.
PART A - name it
PART B - provide it
PART F - use them
PART E - an alternative
PART D - presentation is important

Dafydd
[Moderator]

Hope you can help. Here is my info.

System specs: http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/30/8445.page#40856

Camera: Canon Vixia HF200 - http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/45/8727.page#40859

Here's an overview of what I've done.

1. Copied MTS files from camera via USB to internal HD(SATA)
2. Added all relevant MTS to media for PD project. Files have not been moved. Shadow files were created.
3. Placed files into the timeline.
4. Began trimming each clip and added effects/transitions/music at the end.
5. After project concluded, I tried to burn to basic DVD. (DVD Video/widescreen/HQ) Burn was succesful but the DVD could not be played on any DVD player in my home or on the player on the computer. The video would stop at the first transition and then audio would continue.
6. Tried to burn again several times, progress would get to 23% and then stay there until PD8 program didn't respond.
7. Downloaded the latest patch....2220 I believe.
8. So I tried to burn to a folder. That worked the first time. And I used PowerDVD to burn the folder to disc. Everything worked fine.
9. I noticed an effect I wanted to change. Went into the project and noticed the 5 Blank clips(0,0,0). Audio continued.
10. Without modifying a single thing, I tried to burn to file(mpg), stopped at 43% and never continued.
11. Bought new DVD+R....still no dice. Either it would stop at 24% or 43% and just stay there.
12. Now, it will crash at any given point in time. Whether I click to Produce....or click to Create Disc. Just at random points without me modifying anything.

Below are a couple of error messages in my app log when it crashes.
Also, attached is the screenshot of my PD workspace.

Faulting application name: PDR8.exe, version: 8.0.0.2220, time stamp: 0x4add6b2d
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 6.1.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bdb3b
Exception code: 0xc015000f
Fault offset: 0x00084401
Faulting process id: 0x9e4
Faulting application start time: 0x01ca86a4f468520b
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Cyberlink\PowerDirector\PDR8.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ntdll.dll
Report Id: 3f220490-f29a-11de-8daa-90e6ba140da3

Faulting application name: PDR8.exe, version: 8.0.0.2220, time stamp: 0x4add6b2d
Faulting module name: DIEGO.dll, version: 6.0.0.2205, time stamp: 0x4aca04a9
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x00019ed4
Faulting process id: 0x1410
Faulting application start time: 0x01ca867d066c6107
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Cyberlink\PowerDirector\PDR8.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Cyberlink\PowerDirector\runtime\diego\DIEGO.dll
Report Id: 6be6fa1f-f270-11de-a6a6-90e6ba140da3

Hi,

I can see why the video is important to you.

Ok, from the image I can see the missing files and I note a few other things as well. One of which is the lack of the shadow edit creation icon in any of the thumbnails. You've got the check mark for placement but no yellow icon for shadow file generation or green icon for completed shadow file generation. that's a cause for concern - but only if you have shadow files being generated.

1. have you saved the project to a specific location using:
select:
directors icon/chair > File > save project as.... ?

2. When you started up the saved file were you asked to browse for the missing files? You should have been.

3. If you relied on Auto-save then you can look in: C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR PC NAME\Application Data\CyberLink\PowerDirector\8.0\AutoSave
Note w7 may store this under a slightly different address.
You can look up and use one of the pds'.

4. Your system is powerful enough NOT to need shadow edit file generation.
Open PD
Go to: Directors Chair icon and select
edit > preferences (shortcut Alt+C) > and General tab.
Uncheck "Enable file processing..."
Click OK
I then want you to shut down PD.

Now go find your project and reopen it. When asked to browse for the media/video file, please do so carefully.

Does this work?

Because you have those "black 000" files you may need to look at the auto saved pds and try and find the one that you need.

My guess is that the Shadow edit files are the cause of this.

Please note: You can also ask technical Support for the latest build which is 2220c. http://www.cyberlink.com/prog/support/cs/index.do

Please send me your full name, Order number and email address.

Dafydd
[Moderator]

EDIT:
Dafydd beat me to it - it's because I've got a cold, not because he's better than me

I note that your assets are ticked when included, but I cannot see any shadow edit icons - either being generated (yellow) or completed (green) as per the screen shot below.

Are you sure they were all created?

Cheers
Adrian


Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. (see below)
Confucius
AMD Phenom IIX6 1055T, win10, 5 internal drives, 7 usb drives, struggling power supply.

Originally, I did have shadow files created. At the end, when I started troubleshooting, I removed Shadow files because I figured my system was fast enough.

I regularly saved the file by click the save icon. I had chosen the specific directory to save it. Each time I open the project, it never prompts me for the location of the files.

Keep in mind, the audio within the clip still plays(I didn't split the audio out for some of the blank clips). There are other clips from the same MTS that are working just fine in the timeline.

So should I enable shadow files again? Or just work without them from now on?

As a side note, I think I figured out my DVD burning issue. It might be related to my Trend Antivirus. I'm running a series of tests now to determine if it's the problem. I will post when I find out.

My computer info is here: http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/30/8445.page#40892

My camera is a Canon HF200


1. I take the SD card out of my camera and put it in my card reader on my laptop, then copy everything on the card to an internal hard drive.

2. I open power director 8 ultra and import the AVCHD video files (.mts)

3. I am using shadow files (although i probably don't need to with my system). I have never moved any of my files; and therefore, am never prompted to locate them when opening the project.

4. I have ATI stream technology activated.

5. I add multiple transitions, a few music tracks, and did trim or multi-trim on a few videos and pictures. The project totals about 50 minutes of video and slideshows. About 7 GB of data.

6. I replaced the clips that had the blank 0,0,0 issues (i'll note that these had full audio, just no video, and I did not split out any audio either), so I do not have any screenshots with the issue. I did confirm that all video clips do have the green filmstrip icon indicating that the shadow files are created.

Question: I had heard it's best to make each chapter a separate project. Should that be necessary for just a 50 min movie? I have about 9 chapters.

Quote: Originally, I did have shadow files created. At the end, when I started troubleshooting, I removed Shadow files because I figured my system was fast enough.

Hi,
I'm concerned you changed half way through a project.

I'd like you to delete all Shadow Edit Files please. I think the 0,0,0, are incomplete shadow files.
Go to:
C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR PC NAME HERE\Application Data\CyberLink\PowerDirector\8.0\ShadowEditFiles
and delete the contents - yes all of them.
NOTE: The address given directs you to and through hidden folders. Do you know how to display hidden folders?
Open a folder,
go to Tools,
select Folder Options
select View
Check "Show hidden files and folders"

Quote: I regularly saved the file by click the save icon. I had chosen the specific directory to save it. Each time I open the project, it never prompts me for the location of the files.

I recommended to you a specific save option, ensure you follow it please.

1. have you saved the project to a specific location using:
select:
directors icon/chair > File > save project as.... ?

Quote: Keep in mind, the audio within the clip still plays(I didn't split the audio out for some of the blank clips). There are other clips from the same MTS that are working just fine in the timeline.

It would if drawing the info from a shadow file.

Quote: So should I enable shadow files again? Or just work without them from now on?

You do NOT need shadow files on your system.

Quote: As a side note, I think I figured out my DVD burning issue. It might be related to my Trend Antivirus. I'm running a series of tests now to determine if it's the problem. I will post when I find out.

As a matter of course you should manually select any software updates especially anti-virus updates as these could regularly interfere with editing. I don't know at this time what influence it is having on your write to DVD process. I recommend you to write to a folder first when as in this case a large file is being rendered. I'm suggesting you split the operation of render and write to disc. I ALWAYS do as a matter of habit.

Dafydd
[Moderator]

Thanks for the help. I will try all that you have mentioned regarding:

1. Eliminating Shadow Files
2. Using "Save as" instead of Save
3. Rendering to folder then creating a disc.


As a matter of clarity, I did not change the shadow file option half way through the project. I was done(or so I thought) until the clips went blank. I unchecked file processing in a process of troubleshooting.

I do believe I had 2 separate issues. One that prevented me from rendering to anything and creating a disc. All of those options would cause PD8 to crash.

The 2nd issue was the blank clips. Hopefully the non-use of shadow files will end that issue.

I think we can all agree though that the software should work as designed. It shouldn't matter if I do a Save As or just a Save. In addition, file processing shouldn't cause an issue. Obviously I will work within the confines of these workarounds, but I think this reflects a bit on the quality of the product code. I hope these bugs get worked out.

Thanks again for your help. For now, I will recreate my lost clips.

Quote: My computer info is here: http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/30/8445.page#40892

My camera is a Canon HF200


1. I take the SD card out of my camera and put it in my card reader on my laptop, then copy everything on the card to an internal hard drive.

2. I open power director 8 ultra and import the AVCHD video files (.mts)

3. I am using shadow files (although i probably don't need to with my system). I have never moved any of my files; and therefore, am never prompted to locate them when opening the project.

4. I have ATI stream technology activated.

5. I add multiple transitions, a few music tracks, and did trim or multi-trim on a few videos and pictures. The project totals about 50 minutes of video and slideshows. About 7 GB of data.

6. I replaced the clips that had the blank 0,0,0 issues (i'll note that these had full audio, just no video, and I did not split out any audio either), so I do not have any screenshots with the issue. I did confirm that all video clips do have the green filmstrip icon indicating that the shadow files are created.

Question: I had heard it's best to make each chapter a separate project. Should that be necessary for just a 50 min movie? I have about 9 chapters.

To save me writing the same answer to you, please read: http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/15/9333.page#40917

With reference to your question on separate project per chapter. That's a pretty good idea. It is identical to the segmentation of a project and to rationalise each. Remember you can ADD additional pds projects to your DVD and these would become separate chapters in the same way as adding an additional video at the same point. see attached image.

Please can you add your camera to:
********************************
Have you seen this, please add your spec?
http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/8445.page
Please add your camera spec here:
http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/8727.page
Thanks
********************************
Dafydd
[Moderator]

hi. im fairly new to PD myself .. but ive encountered this blank video playback within the program. what i did was to double click the movie thats not playing ( as if you are going to edit ) and the video appears. close the edit window and it all works fine again. ive seen this before in other editors and i just feel it does happen. for me its not been that desperate .. as long as it doesnt crash. i thought it may be a memory or system problem.
just thought id let you know ive seen this happen a few times with no major probs.

Thanks for the info. I stopped using shadow files and hopefully that will help.

My last issue is that I can't get anything to burn without crashing. It happens whether I burn to disc or to a folder. I just can't believe how buggy this program is.